KENTUCKY TODAY

They once worked together at a law firm, now they will face off this fall in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race – it’s game on for incumbent Democrat Andy Beshear and Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

Beshear had an easy path, easily outdistancing perennial candidate Geoffrey Young and Peppy Martin, who was the unsuccessful Republican nominee against Democrat Paul Patton in his 1999 re-election bid but switched parties to run against Beshear.

Cameron, meanwhile, had 11 other opponents in his race, including Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, State Auditor Mike Harmon, and Kelly Craft, a former ambassador to both Canada and the United Nations.

During his victory speech, Beshear touted his accomplishments in economic development and later told reporters when you’re dealing with pandemics and natural disasters, you don’t worry about who your opponent will be in November.

“This race is about our families. It’s about the good jobs that provide more security and opportunity for the next generation. It’s about the expansion of health care, where we are building the first hospital in the West End of Louisville in 150 years, and a new autism center in Prestonsburg. It’s about investment in public safety, like the largest raises ever for our State Police, and it’s about someone who truly believes in public education and is willing to champion our educators.”

Cameron, during his remarks, thanked former President Trump for his support, saying, “The Trump culture of winning is alive and well in Kentucky. You and I together have proved that no obstacle is too great, no barrier is too large, when concerned and committed Kentuckians come together around a common purpose and vision, rooted in ideals that have propelled this nation forward since its very beginning. Those ideals being faith, family, and community.”

Second-place GOP finisher Quarles said: “To the other victors tonight who will be representing the Republican party as a slate, we must all unite. We must all come together after tonight, because if we are going to defeat Andy Beshear, we must all come together, and it starts right now.”

He also quoted Daniel Boone: “’Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place,’ and I would have to agree with him tonight.”

Third-place finisher Craft told her supporters, “While it is true that I am disappointed this evening, we have so much to celebrate. I know that our movement has had lasting impressions on Kentuckians across the commonwealth, and the Kentuckians that I’ve met have made a forever lasting impact on me.”

She also said the need to come together as one Republican party to defeat Beshear in November.

Locally, Beshear received 425 votes, or 90 percent, from Democrat voters in Bell County. Cameron led the Republican field, receiving 717 votes (43 percent).